Trunk-fastener



'UNITED STATES PATENT OFEICE.

SAMUEL J. WELLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRUNK-FASTENER.

sPEcIFrcATIoN forming part ef Lettere Patent Ne.`2s3,9se, dated Augustes, '1883.

Application filed March 22, 1883. (No model.) v

To all whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. VVELLs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Trunk- Fastener, of which the following is aspeciiication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. Y

This invention relates to fasteners for trunks, boxes, chests, and thelike, and has for its object to provide simple, durable, inexpensive,Vand efficient means for securely binding and locking the cover and bodyof the trunk or box together.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a trunk provided withmy improved fastening. Fig. 2 is a detail view, in perspeetive, of thefastening in locked position. Fig. 3 is adetail view, in perspective, ofthe locking mechanism thrown up out of operation.

Fig. 4L is a vertical transverse sectional view taken through the trunkand fastening mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line xx, Fig. 2. Fig. Gis a detail top view ofthe locking mechanism. Fig. 7 isa detail crosssection on the line y y, Fig. 2. Fig. Sis adetailcrosssection on the line z z, Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a detail rear view ofthe locking mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the trunk, which may be of anyordinary construction, having the body B and the cover C hinged thereto.At the front edge of the top or cover C is arranged a plate or casting,D, formed with slots E E, through which pass the bolts or pins F F, bywhich it is secured to the cover C. This plate D is capable of a slidingin ovement on the pins F F, and is provided witha downwardly-projectingtongue or extension, G, the purpose of which will be presentlydescribed. To the front top edge of the body B is arranged a similarplate or casting, H, disposed directly under the plate D. This plate Hhas slots I I, through which the pins .I J, by which it is secured tothe body, pass, and it is capable of a sliding movement on these pins.At its top edge the plate H is formed with loops or eyes K K, and at itslower end with an eye, L, adapted to receive the end M of a rope orband, N, that is passed through lugs O, arranged around the outside ofthe trunk, and extends around the trunk to the plate D, to which latterits end P is securedin any suitable manner. The rope N is secured in theeyeL by means of a set-screw, Q, so that the end of the rope can beadjusted in the said eye to take up any slack that might ensue from longuse. y

R designates thelocking-plate, which is pivoted on the extension, asshown at S, and is provided with lugs or hooks T T at its top, whichlatter are arranged to be inserted under and in the eyes K K, when theselugs provide a fulcrum, on which the plate R acts as a lever when it isbrought down against the body of the trunk to stretch the rope N andbring the cover C and body B together, during which movement the platesD and H will slide toward each other. The plateRis provided withsuitable locking mechanism at its lower end,which engages the lowerportion of the plate H when the said plate R is brought down as a leverto effect the stretching of the rope and the locking of the partstogether. This locking mechanism preferably consists of twospring-actuated latch-arms, U U, which engage a projection, V, on theplate H, the said projection being provided with beveled edges WV WV, toprovide for the automatic action of the lockingarms U U. These arms areadapted to be forced apart to effect unlocking by projections X X on asuitable key, Y, such as shown in the drawings. Then the plate R isunlocked, it can be turned up on its pivot to the position shown in Fig.3 ofthe drawings, when its arms U U will engage ar projection or knob,AZ, on

the plate D and serve to retain the plate H up out of the way. lt willbe observed that the plate R, when it is in locked position, willinclose the screw Q, so thatit cannot be tampered with to loosen therope N.

The operation and advantages of my invention are obvious. By simplyoperating the locking-plate R as a lever, it serves to stretch the ropeN to bring the cover and body of the trunk together and securely bindthe same. The simple movement of the lever lockingplate R thus bringsthe cover or top down to the body of the trunkto compress the contents,if desired, and automatically locks the parts together.

I claim' as my inventionl, In a fastening for trunks and the like,

.6.5.AN f,

IOO

the combination, with a plate arranged on the cover and a plate arrangedon the body, one of the plates being provided With an eye into whichworks a set-screw, of a band or rope adapted to be arranged around thetrunk, and

,f having one end secured to one of the said plates, and the other endpassing through the said eye, and adjustable therein by means of theset-screW to take up slack, as set forth.

2. In a fastening for trunks and the like, the combination, with a platehaving a tongue or extension, and a plate provided with loops or eyes,the ends of a band or rope being secured to the said plates, of alever-plate pivoted on the said extension, and provided with lugs orhooks for engaging the said eyes, and providing a fulcrum for the plate,as set forth.

3. In a fastening for trunks and the like,

the combination of the plate arranged to slide 2o on the cover, andprovided with a downwardlyprojecting lug or extension, the platearranged to slide on the body, and provided with the eyes or loops, aband or rope attached at its ends to the said sliding plates and adaptedto be arranged around the trunk, and the locking lever-plate pivoted onthe said extension, and provided with the fulcruni lugs or hooks, andwith locking mechanism for engaging the plate on the body, as set forth.3o

Intestimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL J. WELLS.

Witnesses:

HENRY XV. MAGEE, ALBERT J. NORTON.

